Deadly brain cancer could now be treated with the Zika virus
By Herald Keeper

By Olivia Tucker

Zika virus As per US scientists, a virus named Zica virus which is found to be a threat to the fetus and a cause of severe brain damage in babies, could be surprisingly used to treat adult brain cancer.

Latest research shows that without having much effect on normal adult brain cells, the Zika virus selectively killed the human glioblastoma stem cells that are resistant to most standard treatments.

Researchers conducted a test of the Zika therapy by using Zika injections on mice with glioblastomas. The research showed that the virus slowed the growth of a tumour without having much effect on the other brain cells.As per the Journal of Experimental Medicine reports, to remove the life-threatening tumours, experts believe that the Zika virus could be injected into the brain at the time of surgery.

After researchers tested the Zika treatment on human cell samples in the lab, it has shown the considerable difference as it tends to kill tumour cells. However, if everything falls into place, then experts hope that human trials will begin in 18 months.The glioblastoma stem cells are very tricky to treat as they are resistant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery and tend to grow and return even after treatment of cancer. These cells make it difficult to understand where a tumour ends and where the healthy tissue begins as these are spread throughout the brain.Modification of the virus to make it tamer than regular Zika has been started by the team, from Washington University School of Medicine and the University Of California San Diego School Of Medicine. Similarly, similar trials will be begun by UK scientists at the University of Cambridge.